[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6191206,"mediaKeyId","4957936-447d0eb90e0bd66e318a133c8ecb35c7","parentId",4957936,"title","Commission advances downtown zoning text amendment on parking and setbacks to third reading","audioSeconds",158,"startMs",2056000,"endMs",2214000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4957936-447d0eb90e0bd66e318a133c8ecb35c7&start=2056&end=2214","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4957936-447d0eb90e0bd66e318a133c8ecb35c7/thumbnail_2056000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6191206/Tennessee/Commission-advances-downtown-zoning-text-amendment-on-parking-and-setbacks-to-third-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191206-19c0cc0af6ae6bdd0c4f83e609d5dcb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040150&Signature=gwhYNoJnEUmAdDXIzeXvnUoAAyYqlY-6xDsZUab46Z4lYw-5Uy0Eg8qbzTbArHsq32O~mKjQIdBLAgf8UEjUCbNgbC-sRxi6FBgfdGfdgFPg2jKYGih1NRicTJIBLMd5gkLepYGjkBvUmrWl9YVGN8HScQvRY3-QuVIWV4WyModglrn0JmvZZBv5T7RY6f~rAkeibqbh7QP2yHpTYzRKthZ03zTf~qgxuantkHed1uu8arXbtFjk9Osido8DOKkXLdviKfersGZbN4dj82wXw04Bj09Q70KRP0OIfEH905XRpzzkfkHFNL24VtLw3VOMo4JKrzSkq-S5END5YhiidA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Johnson, TN","date","2025-06-20T10:50:48Z","article","The Johnson City Commission approved second reading and opened a public hearing Thursday on a zoning text amendment affecting downtown districts and parking rules (Ordinance 49-19-25), and the item will return for third reading next month.

Planner Bryce McMabler summarized the amendment as a five-point text change to the zoning code for downtown districts, saying, \"This text amendment... there are 5 simple bullet points, within this ordinance.\" He outlined removing additional residential setback requirements in the B-3 district; allowing parking exemptions for existing buildings in B-3 when certain criteria are met; clarifying parking regulations in B-2; creating minimum parking standards for multifamily uses in B-3; and requiring all parking to be paved and painted in B-2, B-3 and the West Walnut District. Staff recommended approval with the addition of the West Walnut District to the parking table.

A resident from 1666 Garland Way asked if feedback provided at the prior reading — including technical research and suggested improvements from a community member — had been reviewed and incorporated. The resident said that prior input included useful technical suggestions and requested confirmation they were considered. A commissioner replied that prior feedback had been positive and that the amendment is “just one piece of the puzzle,” noting more expansive code improvements could follow.

The motion to approve second reading carried with recorded yes votes from Commissioner Brock, Dr. Fowler, Commissioner Wise and Mayor John Hunter. The ordinance will return for third reading, at which point any additional comment or proposed edits may be considered.

—","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Johnson City Board of Commissioners Meeting 06-19-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved second reading and held a public hearing on a text amendment to downtown zoning rules (Ordinance 49-19-25) that changes setback requirements, parking exemptions for existing buildings, and requires paved/painted parking in downtown districts; staff added the West Walnut District to the proposed parking table.","taxTitle","Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee","taxId",24786,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6191209,"Johnson City adopts FY2026 budget after public questions on tax levies and reserves",661,1814000,2475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4957936-447d0eb90e0bd66e318a133c8ecb35c7&start=1814&end=2475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4957936-447d0eb90e0bd66e318a133c8ecb35c7/thumbnail_1814000.jpg","/articles/6191209/Tennessee/Johnson-City-adopts-FY2026-budget-after-public-questions-on-tax-levies-and-reserves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191209-76cc804ad7837004fa879e5edaa811eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040150&Signature=AXlB4WBHGI7Eqbp4nCrzBT5TJe4iYtbE~vv93ASVro6m152iOOqu831KlmNkRPW7fWkUhks9HxPv~AhtkFGRr84LKkbyVNHnQgpeRN6IJLyE4qxTLARjoBeJBWC85HifcWjUBOiw9KU3pp4IO3nA9FgnqqKRRWM5ldhmSIX-SP-S3GdCQsqI084Wzx8wNu650OWltFVKu-TwCrrKLmzkXLfK3c4RowJIb6vII1oGK0MkJzN8rNWhAWpwRO8HP03M1WoeJ2h4HuUx26C5cpmArtFu-OhwBMD-zKFfzC0L~u97hHO7pJOp5TfxbrEuzIr5WQttvOP80CEHO0c4R9bwdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnson City Commission approved the fiscal year 2026 budget (Ordinance 49-18-25) on third and final reading Thursday, after a public commenter asked for explanations of differing property tax levies by county and the drop in the city’s general fund reserve.

At a public comment before the vote, resident Sylvan Birney told the commission, “budgets are moral documents,” and asked four questions about the budget documents, including why the property tax levy varies by county, the sources of $15.3 million in intergovernmental revenues, the reasons for increases in development services and facilities management spending, and how the city plans to replenish general fund reserves following a projected decline.

The questions underscored the central points of the public discussion: different assessed-value calculations across Sullivan, Carter and Washington counties that produce different effective levies for Johnson City properties, and a projected decrease in the city’s general fund reserves. City staff and commissioners addressed the first concern by explaining that counties perform property reappraisals on different schedules, which affects assessed values and, therefore, the effective levy residents see. Commissioner Wise noted that reappraisal timing, not a city decision on rates, produces the apparent discrepancies.

City staff recommended approval on third reading with no proposed changes. During discussion, a commissioner reiterated that the reappraisal schedules set by counties drive the differing levy figures and said the state comptroller has been encouraging more frequent reassessments to reduce such variation.

The budget documents referenced during the meeting show an estimated decrease in the general fund reserve: the transcript cites reserve figures falling from $54,800,000 at the end of 2024 to $24,600,000 at the end of 2025, a change the public commenter highlighted and asked the commission to explain.

The final voice vote recorded “yes” from Commissioner Brock, Dr. Fowler, Commissioner Wise and Mayor John Hunter; the ordinance passed. The commission made no additional amendments or conditions during the meeting.

Looking ahead, staff said detailed questions about line-item allocations and intergovernmental revenue breakdowns are best handled by finance staff, who can provide department-level explanations outside the meeting.

Votes at a glance
Ordinance 49-18-25 (FY2026 budget) — Approved on third and final reading; recorded yes votes: Commissioner Brock; Dr. Fowler; Commissioner Wise; Mayor John Hunter.

—","The Johnson City Commission approved the fiscal year 2026 budget (Ordinance 49-18-25) on third and final reading after a public comment raising questions about differing property tax levy amounts by county and a drop in general fund reserves.","actionData","errors"]

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Commission advances downtown zoning text amendment on parking and setbacks to third reading

Johnson City adopts FY2026 budget after public questions on tax levies and reserves